Do you still write checks or spend cash? Each digital bill-paying transaction could involve at least six different data centers. Waking up in the morning, if you rely on an alarm connected to the internet, or check a wi-fi clock, you may have already used a data center twice. Is your coffeemaker connected to the internet? Is your thermostat connected to the internet? The below linked article from Cardinal News gives an eye opening perspective to just how interwoven data cente

Virginia is taking action on data centers — but is it keeping pace? This month’s update looks at a proposed project in nearby Amherst County, new state and local rules, who pays for power infrastructure, property-value research, and the growing scale of AI data centers.

Friends of Nelson Presentation on Sept. 24, 2026 – Agricultural/Forestal Districts (AFDs) Three of the methods that are promoted in the Nelson County Comprehensive Plan to protect rural lands are AFDs, Use-Value Tax Deferral Program, and conservation/open space easements. Each method has stand-alone requirements, goals, and results, but they often complement each other and work in tandem. screenshot of AFDs in nelson county. AFDs In 1977, Virginia was the first state in the

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Extension Mater Gardeners have shared a growing series of seminars on small fruit production. All are about 1 hr in length and can be enjoyed at your convenience. Learn about growing and caring for Asian Pears, Blueberries, and most recently Cane berries/Brambles (which has not been posted yet). https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/vce-fruit-webinar-series/ These sessions will focus on production that falls between backyard gardening and farm-

The Nelson County Service Authority (NCSA) provided an update on the issues with the Wintergreen Wastewater Treatment Plant on August 11th, 2026 to the Board of Supervisors. Justin Shimp reported for the NCSA. Below you can read a copy of text summarizing the report as it appears in the meeting minutes. You can also listen to the meeting and the report here. photo credit to ABC13News As a quick summary of information leading up to the troubles, Mr. Shimp reported that on May

In May 2026, Preservation Virginia named the nine-county corridor targeted for Valley Link’s proposed 765 kilovolt transmission line project (aka Joshua Falls-Yeat) to its list of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026. The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and American Battlefield Trust made the nomination with eight other partners across the Commonwealth: Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Central Virginia Land Conservancy, Fluvanna Historical Society, Fri

Virginia’s data center landscape is changing quickly — and some of those decisions are moving closer to home. This month, we look at Nelson County’s proposed data center rules, new questions about who pays for the power infrastructure these facilities require, growing concerns about water and transparency, and the role AI is playing in rising electricity demand. Most importantly, we look at what these changes could mean for Nelson and how residents can help shape what comes n

Nelson County is updating its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, and the current Public Review Draft includes specific standards for data centers. No commercial data center has been publicly proposed for Nelson. That gives the County an opportunity many Virginia communities did not have: to set expectations now for how a proposal would be considered if one does arise. This review looks specifically at the data center provisions in Nelson County’s August 19, 2026 Public Review

In a letter to neighbors who opposed the Board of Supervisors approved expansion of the Monroe Center, the below was shared by Allyn Evans, CEO of the Monroe Institute; After careful consideration, the Board of Directors of The Monroe Institute has decided not to move forward with our proposed expansion in Nelson County. I have informed Nelson County of this decision. This was not a decision we reached lightly. From the beginning, expanding adjacent to our existing campus mad

In this update: Communities Want a Seat at the Table What New Research Is Revealing How Virginia Is Responding Development Continues Across the Commonwealth What You Can Do Learn More New Questions, New Information, and Growing Public Engagement Are Reshaping the Conversation. For years, Virginia's data center boom has largely been measured in megawatts, tax revenue, and economic development announcements. This month, however, a different story emerged. Across the Commonwealt

The Governor's Office is seeking public input to help shape Virginia's next Energy Plan. Friends of Nelson encourages members to complete the survey and share their own perspectives. Some of the survey questions are broad and technical, so to make it easier to participate, we've prepared this guide with sample responses based on the issues we've been tracking through our Wires & Water Updates. We encourage you to use these suggestions as a starting point and personalize your

In this update: The Tax Break Debate Reaches a Boiling Point The Grid Is Feeling the Pressure High-Voltage Power Lines Face Growing Opposition Air Quality, Water & Public Health What You Can Do Virginia's data center debate is entering a new phase. Earlier discussions on data centers focused largely on where they were being built. Today, the conversation is increasingly centered on their impact - rising electricity costs, new power lines and substations, air quality, water re

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and other organizations and agencies have made available a wealth of resources for learning about the past, present and future of our beloved Appalachian Trail, including the important ways we can interact with the AT as individuals and communities. Check out the links below for more information about different topics related to the Trail: - Indigenous Peoples' lands along the trail: Native Lands - Trail Magic: Trail Magic - Appalachian Trail

YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED: ATTEND THE JUNE 11 ZONING HEARING ON THE RIVERSTONE SOLAR PROJECT Buckingham County residents and landowners are called on to attend a critical Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) hearing on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to demand transparency and equal enforcement of the law regarding the Riverstone Solar project. This vital hearing will determine whether County officials improperly allowed the project to continue after the developer failed to mee

Expanded Information following the May 20 Friends of Nelson (FON) Talk Written by Susan McSwain, May 21 Susan McSwain served as Nelson’s first Solid Waste & Recycling coordinator and helped with the overhaul from a system of unsupervised drop-off garbage sites to gated, staffed collection centers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up until 1970, there was no garbage collection in Nelson. People dumped garbage in quarries,

In this Post: Transmission Infrastructure Is Expanding Into Rural Virginia Regional Expansion Continues New Focus on Air Quality, Water Use & Grid Reliability Public Opinion Is Rapidly Changing State Budget Negotiations Remain Stalled What You Can Do Virginia’s data center debate is no longer confined to Northern Virginia. Over the past several months, concerns about energy demand, transmission infrastructure, water usage, air quality, tax incentives, and local land use have

Friends of Nelson will be meeting again at the Rockfish Valley Community Center Lounge room on the 3rd evening of the month. This is a standing date, so mark your calendars accordingly! This month, we will be meeting on April 15th from 7-8:30pm. learn more about this months program below. We will look forward to seeing you.

Aging wind turbines are a massive clean energy opportunity Replacing the turbines on existing wind farms with newer, more powerful and efficient models could double the amount of electricity produced by onshore wind energy in the United States – without increasing its footprint. Repowering could more than double the current capacity of existing U.S. onshore wind farms, from 153 GW of wind power currently installed to approximately 314 GW. Yearly wind electricity generation w

An Electric Super-Highway Through the Piedmont - The Piedmont Environmental Council Some people in Nelson County received letters in the mail about the Joshua Falls-Yeat high voltage transmission line that is being proposed by Dominion Energy. Go to the website provided for more information. Below is the current map that is online. AEP is also proposing a new transmission line that will end near Gladstone. Visit the link here for more information and a map: Joshua Falls -